EUROPEAN DEALER NETWORK KICKS OFF SALES OF SHELBY AMERICAN VEHICLES AND LICENSED MERCHANDISE DURING ESSEN MOTOR SHOW IN GERMANY

Posted 11/30/2017

NEWS

FOR Immediate RELEASE

Essen Motor Show heralds the kick off for Shelby in Europe

Shelby vehicles, parts and products now available at 18 dealers in 15 European countries

Team Shelby club announces tour from Le Mans Classic to Goodwood Festival of Speed

ESSEN, GERMANY – December 1, 2017 – Executives with Shelby American Inc., and Carroll Shelby Licensing at the Essen Motor Show in Germany announced that new Shelby vehicles and licensed merchandise are now on sale through an independent European dealer network. The network of GU Auto Trade dealers for Shelby American vehicles is taking orders and the Team Shelby enthusiast club announced its intention to conduct a major European event in 2018. Carroll Shelby Licensing also revealed that the dealers will each open a Carroll Shelby’s Store in their locations to offer licensed merchandise in Europe.

“We recently announced an agreement with GU Auto Trade to expand the Shelby brand throughout Europe,” said Joe Conway, Co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International and CEO of Shelby American. “In just a few months, that agreement has moved from paperwork to a network of European dealers who are stocking our vehicles, parts and merchandise. We’re keeping our promise to the enthusiasts in Europe who hunger for genuine American high performance.”

Under the arrangement, current model Shelby cars and merchandise will be available through 18 dealers in 15 countries. The dealerships are taking orders and beginning to stock Shelby cars based on the Ford Mustang including the Shelby Super Snake and Shelby GTE. The 750 (flywheel) horsepower Shelby F-150 and Shelby F150 Super Snake truck, as well as the 525 (flywheel) horsepower Shelby Raptor will also be sold through dealer showrooms. All are on display as part of the first Shelby Essen exhibit in history.

“Our independent dealers are already stocking Shelby vehicles in their showrooms and are adding official Carroll Shelby’s Stores inside their locations,” said Lili Gu, president of GU Auto Trade. “They will also actively support all Team Shelby club events in their regions. We will bring the exciting culture of high-octane American fun to the streets of Europe.”

GU Auto Trade dealers are in countries including Germany, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Norway, the United Kingdom and Russia.

“We worked closely with GU Auto Trade to create official gear tailored to European tastes, but with a uniquely Shelby style,” said Neil Cummings, Co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International and CEO of Carroll Shelby Licensing. “Our team also helped them design new retail locations inside the dealerships unlike anything on the continent. These stores will deliver a premium experience equal to the special Shelby vehicles being sold alongside official merchandise.”

Heritage vehicles including the Shelby Cobra roadster, Shelby Daytona Coupe and GT40, as well as the 1965 Shelby GT350R model built by the Original Venice Crew, will be available through the dealer network via special order.

“Shelby has deep roots in Europe, dating back to when my grandfather won Le Mans as a driver in 1959,” said Aaron Shelby, board member of Carroll Shelby International. “He returned as a manufacturer to win America’s only FIA World sports car championship with the Cobra roadster and coupe in 1965. Shelby American won Le Mans with the Ford GT40 in 1966 and 1967. These cars are fan favorites at events like the Le Mans Classic, which is why we continue to offer the Shelby Cobra, Daytona Coupe and GT40 today alongside the current model vehicles.”

The Le Mans Classic will be one of the cornerstones of the Team Shelby European tour in 2018.

“Our enthusiast community, Team Shelby, has been steadily building around the world over the past ten years,” said Tracey Smith, Executive Vice President of Shelby International and International Director of Team Shelby. “We’re planning many events with our regional directors in Europe throughout 2018. Our most ambitious will be a 10-day tour that begins in Paris, travels to the Le Mans Classic and then ends at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The new dealer network has committed to supporting the club with events and activities during the tour.”

For more information about Shelby American and the company’s vehicle line, visit www.Shelby.com; for more information about the European dealer network, visit http://shelby.eu.

Automotive manufacturer and entrepreneur Carroll Shelby is one of the most famous and successful high-performance visionaries in the world. He was also a pioneer for modern automotive licensing programs; beginning in the 1960s, he began licensing his name and designs for various products. He founded Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc., which is the exclusive holder of trademarks and vehicle design rights for some of the most famous muscle cars and high-performance vehicles. CSL also holds trademark rights for Shelby-branded apparel, accessories and collectibles. For more information about the company or licensing opportunities, call (310) 914-1843, fax (310) 538-8189, write Carroll Shelby Licensing, Inc., 19021 S Figueroa St., Gardena, CA 90248, or visit www.Shelby.com.